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PJ Breslin: Dishonest behavior of voters

Posted:
11/05/2012 12:00:00 AM MST

Unlike most Americans, the thing that concerns me most about election season isn't the dishonest behavior of candidates, but of voters. We act as if our government, at any given point in time, isn't a precise reflection of our own interest or indifference, our participation or inaction, or even, our affection or disdain. When in fact, it's exactly that.

Characterizing politics in terms of "us and them" makes it easier to demonize politicians and deny our own responsibility, whether we vote, or especially if we don't. If you are disinterested and uninvolved in your relationships, business or education, those aspects of your life will suffer or fail. Why wouldn't the same be true in our representative democracy? As the political philosopher Alexis de Tocqueville said, " In democracy we get the government we deserve."

By distancing ourselves from our own governance we cede our power to corporate money and influence, and allow ourselves to be lulled to sleep by network-media assurances of no differences between the candidates, keeping us tuned in, but out of the voting booth.

Election results are a reflection of us as a people. The question is, which candidate do you want looking back at you from your mirror come Nov. 7; the compassionate, inclusive, women-friendly President Obama, or dead-eyes-Mitt, the sexist, corporate-raiding, shape-shifter?

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